Fake washing powder cheat denied appeal after conviction

A MAN who was jailed for his part in an international plot to sell fake Persil washing powder has failed in a Court of Appeal to challenge his sentence.

Richard Frederick Brayford, aged 44, of Stonehaven Eaves Lane, Whiston, near Cheadle, was given a two-year sentence at Chester Crown Court after he was convicted of breaching the Trademarks Act in April.

Brayford, pictured, was one of a group of men prosecuted over the plan to sell the Chinese-made fake powder, which was available for sale on the internet, in 2008.

Martin Forrester, aged 39, of Oakwood Road, Blurton, Justin Campbell, aged 39, of Ferndown Drive, Newcastle, and Michael Bagguley, aged 24, of Silverdale Road, Newcastle, were all jailed for 12 months for their part in the scam.

Steven Charlesworth, aged 46, of Highland Avenue, Cheadle, and Nicholas Moult, aged 43, of Beaumont Rise, Stoke, both received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and were ordered to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work.

The scam was smashed when Persil-makers, Unilever, got wind of what was happening and employed private investigators to watch Felixstowe port.

In August and October 2008, they observed shipments of the fake powder and high-quality forged Persil packaging arriving at the port.

Trading standards officers were notified and the warehouse at the heart of the plot, in Winsford, Cheshire, was raided.

Investigations revealed the powder was of low quality, without bleach content, but the boxes were good copies.

Evidence showed Brayford was in China on the day before the packaging was shipped.

In his appeal, his lawyers argued the plot lacked sophistication, the goods having been simply bought on the internet. The likely profit from sales would have been around £20,000.

Daz the way (not) to do it. If you want to be Bold and Surf the net in committing crime, you can't be too surprised when it all comes out in the wash. If he can keep away from the prison Fairy, it could just be the chance for a clean start !!